Credit Suisse: Cheap version of iphone will pressure Nokia Rim Motorola

Sina Science and technology news Beijing Time, June 22, Credit Suisse said today that as a large number of low-end Android phones to the market, and Apple next year is expected to launch a low-cost version of the iphone, the next 12-18 months, the smartphone industry will be more competitive pressure, and Nokia,　　RIM and Motorola Mobility will face serious challenges. Credit Suisse believes the overall size of the handset market will continue to grow as low-end smartphones increasingly replace functional handsets.　　Apple and Samsung Electronics will be the biggest winners in the smartphone market, while Rim, Nokia and Motorola Mobility will be fading. Credit Suisse downgraded Motorola's mobile stock to "weaker than the market". The company believes that while Android phones will remain on the rise, Motorola Mobility is unlikely to be left behind in the low-end smartphone market.　　In addition, fierce competition from Samsung, HTC and other manufacturers could also lead Motorola Mobility to lose U.S. market share. Credit Suisse believes Apple is likely to release an inexpensive version of the iphone in 2012, but "accurate time is hard to predict". Credit Suisse downgraded RIM's stock rating to "neutral" to maintain Nokia's "weaker-than-market" rating.　　The company believes that a cheaper version of the iphone could further erode the market share of the two companies. Nokia Tuesday released the new smart Machine N9, equipped with Meego operating system. Analysts believe the N9 outlook is unclear in the context of Nokia's decision to embrace the Windows Phone platform in full. "While Nokia may be right to hold Microsoft's strategic decisions, we believe this shift is difficult, especially in the face of increased competition in the smart-machine market," said Credit Suisse. "Credit Suisse believes Rim's move to the QNX operating system will be slow and fiercely competitive at all prices, but it says RIM's share price is not high."　　RIM's share price has fallen below $26 trillion, its lowest in nearly 5 years due to poor performance in the previous quarter and the delay in releasing exciting new products. Rim acknowledged last week that it had failed to update its aging smartphone product line in time and cut its full-year performance forecasts. In addition, the company will implement layoffs, the number of people involved is not clear. (Si mu)